Some parrots do feed on weed

C.D., Lucas.

Crimson and eastern rosellas, and galahs, feed on the buds of capeweed. Other parrots and cockatoos probably feed on them too. They most likely also feed on the seeds later in the year. Capeweed leaves are commonly eaten by caterpillars of the native painted lady butterfly.

The plant comes originally from the Cape area of South Africa. It’s a fast-growing annual that has usually died by the end of the year, leaving bare patches where it grew so rampantly in spring.

Capeweed is often considered an undesirable plant because it can be harmful to livestock if eaten in large quantity, but its buds seem to have no effect on the birds.